Flying-machine.



R. M. SMTH.

' FLYING MACHINE.

APPLIGATION 'FILED JANI zo, 1912.

Patented Mar. 2, 1915.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1A R. M. SMITH.

FLYING MACHINE.

APPLIGATION FILED JAN. zo, 1912.

A1,130,208. Patented Mar. 2, 1915.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WTNESSES JN/ENTOR R.. M. SMITH.

FLYING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 2o, 19121 Patented MaI. 2, 19H.

4 SHEETS*SHBET 3.

WTNESSES R.. M. SMITH.

FLYING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 20, 1912.

Patented Mar. 2, 1915.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

WITZVESSES UNTTED sTATEs PATENT oEEioE.

REXSEORD M. SMITH, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT 0F COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, T0 CONNECTICUT AIRCRAFT COMPANY, OF NEW HAVEN, CONNECTI- CUT, A CORPORATION.

FLYING-MACHINE.

Application led January 20, 1912.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, REXFOED M. SMITH, a citizen of the United States, residing at lVashington, inthe District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful llm- 'provements in Flying-Machines, (Case F,)

of which the following is a specification.

rFhis invention relates to aeroplanes or flying machines of the heavier-tlian-air class, and particularly to improvements in the structural organizations of such machines whereby increased stability, flying efficiency, ease of control, portability and other general advantages are obtained.

One object of the invention is to provide a machine which may be converted from a monoplane into a biplane, or vice versa, in a ready and convenient manner.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel construction and relation of superposed supporting surfaces for a biplane, whereby increased inherent stability is secured and a parachutic action obtained in the event of the fall of the machine.

Another object ofthe invention is to provide a machine which may be knocked down or folded in close compass for storage or transportation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a construction of supporting plane or surface which may be flexed for a control# ling action without distorting strain thereon or destroying the normal contour thereof, and which is also adapted to dex automatically under air pressure to maintain stability.

Another object of the invention is to provide plane structures of maximum strength and durability; to provide novel means for rigidly and foldably connecting superposed planes; and to provide novel means for supporting stability ins from the planes and the struts or intermediate connections.

Another object of the invention is to provide a reliable and eliicient type of launching and landing gear and other features of construction increasing the general efficiency of flying machines of the stated character.

Vith these and other objects in view, thev invention consists of the features of con` struction, combination and arrangement of parts, hereinafter fullyT described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which Specification of Letters IiPatent.

Patented Mar. 2, 1915.

Serial No'. 672,277.

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a dying machine embodying my invention, with the supporting surface at one side of the machine partially broken away. Fig. 2 is a side view of the stern portion of the nacelle, showing the tail in folded position. Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the machine as shown in Fig. l and as embodied in a biplane structure. Fig. l is a fore and aft section through the supporting surface in line with one of the struts or stanchions. Fig. 5 is a front elevation showing the mode of collapsing the wings of the supporting surface. Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the machine. Fig. l is a similar view of the nacelle, showing the same partially broken away to fully show the construction of the launching and landing gear. Fig. 8 is a cross section on the line 8 8 of Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 7 showing a modification in the construction of the launching and landing gear. Fig. 10 is a longitudinal section through one of the ribs of a supporting plane. Fig. l1 is a view showing the mode of connection of the ribs of the upper plane with the flexing bar. Fig. 12 is a view showing the mode of connecting similar strips of the ribs of a plane. Fig. 13 is a detail vertical transverse section through a master rib and stability iin. Fig. le is a horizontal transverse section through a strut and fin. Figs. l5 and '16 are side views of the flexible sections or ribs showing modilied forms of means for coupling .the relatively movable upper and lower rib strips.` Fig. l? is a detail section showing the arrangement of the fabric coverings or the wing body and tail piece.

Referring to the drawings, l designates the body or main frame of the machine, herein shown in the form of a streamline nacelle, within the cockpit 2 of which are arranged seats 3 and l for the aviator and one or more passengers. A tractor propeller 5 is suitably mounted at the front of the nacelle and driven in practice by any desired type of i iotor. (Not shown.) rllhe machine is supported upon the ground surface by a trail skid 6 and cushioned front wheels i?, forming part of a launching and landing gear hereinafter fully described. 'lfhe tail of the nacelle supports a. lined vertical stability fin 8 and a vertical rudder .9, and to the nacelle or fin 8 are hinged or pivoted, as

lll@

at 10, opposite laterally extending horizontal iins 11, to the rear edges of which are hinged or pivoted the sections of a bifurcated horizontal rudder 12. This construction adapts the horizontal fins and horizontal rudder sections to be folded up parallel with the vertical stability fin 8 for convenience in collapsing the parts of the machine in close compass for storage or transportation, as shown, in Fig. 2. Suitable stays 13, adapted forl connection with a depending bracket 14, are provided to hold the horizontal fins and horizontal rudder sections in operative position when the parts are disposed for use. Sets of control wires or cables 15 and 16 extend from the vertical rudder and horizontal rudder sections into the cockpit for connection with suitable control devices whereby the rudders may be adjusted. Y

In the embodiment of the invention in a biplane structure, supporting planes or surfaces 17 and 18 of generally corresponding structure are employed, the lower plane 17 being formed of independent wing sections 19 and 20 and the upper plane of-independent wing sections 21 and 22. Each plane is composed of a body of fabric or other material secured to a frame structure the wings 19 and 20 project beyond the in-` ner ends of said wings and tit within tubular receiving sockets 26 extending through the body of the nacelle, while the rails of the wings 21 and 22 similarly project. at their inner ends and fit within tubular sockets 27 carried by a mast 28 supported bv uprights 29 from the body of the nacelle. Bolts or other suitable fastenings 30 are employed to fasten the wing bars against casual disconnection from the sockets and to detachably secure the same therein, whereby the wings of the planes are rendered demountable for convenience in collapsing and securing them in close compass for storage or transportation. Sockets 31 are also provided upon the nacelle above the sockets 26 for the reception of the Wing bars of a single plane to enable the machine to be converted into a monoplane when desired. This may be accomplished by removing the planes of the biplane structure, fitting the wings of a single sustaining plane of suitable contour within the sockets 31, and then fastening the wings in position by means of the usual stays. As shown in the present instance the wings of the lower plane are reinforced by stays 32 secured to a mast 33 depending from the nacelle, while the wings of the upper plane are reinforced by stays 34 secured to the mast 28. In practice, the lower stays of the monoplane wings may be coupled by a lower set of braces or stays to the mast 33 and by an upper set of braces or stays either to the `mast 28 or to a substitute mast applied in lieu thereof to the nacelle. Where the mast '28 is employed as a bracing element in both a monoplane and a biplane structure, the mast as a Whole, including the uprights 29, may be slidably mounted for vertical adjustment on the nacelle and bolted and otherwise secured in adjusted position. The structure described permits of a single body being used in conjunction with suitable wings for converting the machine from a. biplane into a monoplane, or vice versa, the advantages of which will be appreciated.

The wings of the planes 17 and 18 are connected and reinforced by asingle series ofl struts or stanchions 35 each preferably consisting of a strip of sheet metal doubled or folded upon itself, which struts extend between and are connected with the vertically alined master ribs 25 of the superposed wings of the said planes. For the purpose of securing greater strength and rigidity of structure, each master rib is preferably formed of a pair of channeled metal plates 36, top and bottom strips 37 and 38 of wood or other suitable material and suitable spacing blocks 39, the plain ribs 24 corresponding in construction with said master ribs with the exception of the omission of the channeled metal plates. The fiat faces of the plates 36 are arranged in opposing relation and between them is inserted the upper portion of a brace plate 40, riveted or otherwise secured thereto, as at 41. The plates 40 of the upper and lower planes project from the opposed faces of said planes and are hingedly or pivotally connected with the ends of the struts, as at 42, and with stability fins 43 fastened to the struts. These fins are preferably of triangular form and composed of metallic plates having their front edges fitted between the folds of the strut and riveted or otherwise secured thereto, as at 4-4. By this construction the two planes are properly supported and held in spaced relation, while at the same time they are pivot-ally connected so that upon det-aching the pairs of wings from the nacelle the upper wing' may be folded downwardly and inwardly in parallel Arelation with'the lower wing, as shown in Fig. 5, so that by collapsing the folding tail heretofore described and lashing or otherwise securing the collapsed planes longitudinally to the vopposite sides of the nacelle body the machine may be collapsed with all of its parts arranged substantially within the line of transverse dimensions of the nacelle, allowing it to be readily towed along an ordinary road or stored in an ordinary freight car for transportation or Within a hangaror shed of minimum size. As before described, the Wings are normally braced and sustained by the stays 32 and 34, which may be adapted to be readily uncoupled 'to permit the Wings to be taken down, and in addition the pairs of Wings may be connected and reinforced by rigid diagonal braces detachably secured in any su1table manner to the brace plates 40 vbetween which they extend. The struts 35 are preferably folded into the form of oval or elliptical tubes or ofany other suitable shape to diminish their head resistance.

The lower plane 17 is suitably curved or cambered in a. fore and aft direction to act as the main lifting surface, the upper plane 18 being relatively flatter or having less camber or fore and aft curvature, so as to adapt it to serve to a certain extent as a lifting surface but mainly as a stabilizing element. To promote this stabilizing function of the upper plane and to adapt it to also serve the function of a parachute if the machine should fall, said plane is made of relatively greater dimensions than the loiver plane so as to overhang or extend at its front, rear and outer end edges or lateral extremities beyond the corresponding portions of the lower plane. By this construction and relative dimensions of the two planes, the projecting front, rear and end edges of the upper plane are arranged to lie in the path of the air beyond the margins of the lower plane, so that in the event the machine should fall the air compressed on the downward motion Will be caught and retained by the projecting Inargins of the upper plane and distributed over the surface of said plane, by which a parachutic action will be established to diminish the speed of the fall, thus diminishing the liability of a serious accident if t-he machine should strike the ground or allowing suhcient time for the aviator to regain control before the ground or any other obstruction is encountered, If the machine should pitch forwardly,vrearwardly or laterally in either direction, the extended `portion of the upper plane at the descending side Will operate as a resistance surface Whose angle of incidence is increased for the action of thefair thereon to secure a lifting effect, whereby the balance of the machine will be automatically restored.

l am aware of the fact that it has heretofore been proposed to extend the lateral margins of an upper supporting surface beyond the lateral margins of a lower supporting surface, but l believe that l am the first to extend the margins of the upper surface at all points beyond the margins of the-lower surfacein order to secure longitudinal as Well as lateral stability, and l also believe that l am the first to employ an uppersurface of less camber than the lovfer surface in order to secure a parachutic action when the machine drops to any appreciable degree.

Each plane is provided with a rigid or inflexible body portion and a flexible tail or trail portion, the plane being rigid between its leading edge and the rear bed rail 23 and flexible in rear of the latter-named point. rEhe tail portions 46 of the Wings are provided With fiexible rib sections, and said tail portions are preferably rendered detachable to further secure economy of storage space and to facilitate the Work of malring repairs. To this end the frame structure of each tail portion is made up of a ront longitudinal bar 47 and rib sections each consisting of a pair of superposed ilexible metal or Wooden stripsv 48 and 49 fixed at their front edges to the bar and to an adjacent spacing block 50 and having their rear ends free for flexion in a vertical plane and for a relative sliding motion on each other. rlhe bar 47 carries doivel pins 5l to engage doWel seats or recesses 52 in the rear rail 23 of the Wing body by which the tail portion is fitted in position, said tail portion being held from displacement by splice plates 53, arranged to extend across the joint and secured in position by detachable fastenings The rear ends of the respective sets of strips 48 and 49 are respectivelyv connected by a union 55 consisting of a folded or U- shaped strip of aluminum or other suitable material having offset portions forming pockets 55 to receive the ends of the strips which are secured therein by suitable fastenings 57, said unions forming contacting wear surfaces and smooth marginal portions over Which the fabric of the tail portion is stretched. The tail portion of the loiver plane is designed to flex automatically under excess air pressure for a shedding action and the free ends of the strips of therib sections thereof are preferably reinforced and movably connected by a type of coupling shown in Fig. l5, consisting of metallic plates 58 secured to the opposed faces of the strips )y lashings 59 and formed with offsets or knuckles to receive and retain a link ring 60, whereby the strips are held from spreading and are yet permitted to have relative longitudinal play or movement to compensate for their different degrees of bending motion when the tail fiexes, By this means the tail is permitted to flex symmetrically and uniformly in a vertical plane Without strain upon the tail or plane body and without liability of a variation in the normal curvature of the plane from constant flexion of the ribs. The tail of the lower plane is thus adapted to flex upwardly to release any excess air pressure and upon the removal of such pressure therefrom returns to normal position through the elasticity or resiliency of the ribs.

The tail portions of the wings of the upper plane are adapted to be both automati cally and manually flexed, and to this end each of said tail portions is provided with a flexing bar 61 which extends longitudinally between the upper and lower series of rib strips thereof and passes through retaining loops 62 composed of bent metallic plates n secured by lashings 63 to the strips. These loops are alternately fastened throughout the series to the lower strip of one rib and the upper strip of the next adjacent rib, so that a downward or upward pull upon the bar will transfer a corresponding motion to all the ribs in unison. The lloops serve to retain the flexing bar in position and loosely embrace the bar so as to permit the rib strips to have the endwise play hereinbefore described during the flexing action. In Fig. 16 I have shown another mode of coupling the rib strips embodying the use of loops 64 each composed of a. doubled piece of iiexible material terminally lashed to the strips, as at 65, the bight portions of which loops receive a tubular flexing har 66 which is held from outward displacement by flexible stays 67 connecting it at intervals with the bar 47. This form of coupling also permits the rib strips to ilex freely and to have relative longitudinal shifting motion during the flexing action. A wire or cable 68 extends centrally through a guide 69 forming a part of the mast 28 and is attached to the flexing bars of the wings to cause their i movement in opposite directions in unison,

to Hex one tail portion upwardly when the vother tail portion is iexed downwardly, and `vice versa, whereby a stabilizing adjustment for lateral control is obtained. Wires or vcables'O and 71 are attached to the flexing bars beneath the wings and thence extend to a pair of independent controlling levers 72 and 73 pivoted for lateral motion on a horizontal axis to -a bracket 74 fixed to the under side of the nacelle. The levers are arranged one in rear of the other and have their upper or handle ends extending upwardly into the cockpit within reach of the aviator so that they may be simultaneously or independently grasped and simultaneously or independently operated, allowing the flexible tail portions of the wings to be flexed to different degrees as desired. If th machine should pitch rearwardly the operator may release the levers and thus permit both flexible tail portions to bend upward simultaneously under the pressure of the air so as to secure a stabilizing action to restore the machine to its normally balanced position.

The wheels 7 are mounted upon a transverse axle 75 carried by a toggle lever 1,180,2ois

bracket composed of front and rear sets of lever arms 76 and 77 respectively pivoted at their upper ends to the nacelle and to links 78 pivotally attached to the nacelle and limited in forward motion by stops 79. To said rear ends of the levers 77 are attached the outer ends of cables 80 which extend upwardly and forwardly into the nacelle over guide pulleys 81 and are attached to rods 82 longitudinally slidable in guides 83. -The rods are threaded each to receive an adjusting nut 84 and lock nut 85- and surrounding each rod between the adjusting nut and the rear guide is a coiled expansion spring 86 which normally operates to Slide the rod forward and resist rearward motion thereof. By this means the cables 80 are normally drawn upon to elevate the rear ends of the levers 77 and thus project the two sets of levers 76 and 77 downward and to resist their upward motion. The levers are adapted to swing upwardly and rearwardly when the wheels 7 ride over irregularities of surface or strike the ground in landing, thus drawing on the cables 80 against the'resistance of and compressing the springs, whereby an easy and effective cushioning action is afforded to absorb all shocks and jars.

In Fig. 9 a modified form of the launching and landing gear is shown in which the lever arms 7 7. are pivoted to the lower ends of levers 87 which extend upwardly into the nacelle and are limited in their movements by stop shoulders 88 and 89, the upper ends of the levers being connected by cables 90 to spring controlled rods arranged in rear thereof and constructed in the manner heretofore described. With this construction the upper ends of the levers swing forwardly against the resistance of the springs when the wheels move upwardly to obtain the cushioning action, as will be readily understood. The tension and resistance of the springs in each construction may be regulated by the adjusting nuts.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new is 1.` In a flying machine, a pair of superposed supporting surfaces extending lengthwise at right angles to the line of flight, each of said surfaces having a lifting curvature and the upper surface being of greater dimensions than the lower surfaceand projecting marginally at all sides beyond the latter, the lifting curvature of the upper surface being constantly less than that of surface having a constant or fixed lesser degree of curvature than the lower supporting surface and extending marginally at all points beyond the same.

3. In a flying machine, a nacelle provided with receiving sockets in its sides at different elevations to receive the wing bars of the wings of a monoplane surface or the wing bars of the wings of the lower plane of a multiplane surface, and masts at the top and bottom of the nacelle for the extension of stays therefrom to the wings, the

upper mast being vertically adjustable to regulate its position for monoplane or multiplane wing bracing.

4. In a flying machine, a nacelle provided with receiving sockets, masts projecting above and below the nacelle, the upper mast being provided with receiving sockets, upper and lower supporting surfaces composed of wings adapted to engage said sockets, and stays for bracing the wings from the respective masts.

5. In a flying machine, the combination of a nacelle, upper and lower supporting surfaces comprising superposed pairs of wings detachably mounted upon the nacelle, struts pivotally connecting the wings of each pair to permit them to fold in parallel relation, and a tail including horizontal fins adapted to fold to a vertical position to permit the collapsed planes to be secured longitudi nally at the sides of the nacelle.

6. In a flyingmachine, a nacelle, a xed vertical tail fin, pivoted horizontal tail ns adapted to fold parallel with the vertical fin, and horizontal rudder sections carried by the horizontal fin and adapted to fold therewith.

7 In a flying machine, superposed wings having ribs formed of united elements, reinforcing plates secured between the elements of the ribs, and struts pivotally coupling the reinforcing plates.

. 8. In a flying machine, superposed wings, plates secured to the wings, stability fins, and struts carrying said stability fins, said struts and fins being secured to the plates.

9. In a flying machine, superposed wings, stability fins, and struts carrying the stability fins, said struts and fins being pivotally connected with the wings.

10. In a flying machine, superposed wings provided with reinforced ribs, and struts provided with stability fins and pivoted therewith to the alined reinforced ribs of the wings. v f

.11. In a flying machine,\superposed wings having ribs formed `of coupled elements, plates clamped between said elements, and struts provided with stability fins, said struts and fins being pivotally connected with said plates.

12. In a flying machine, superposed wings, plates carriedthereby, and struts provided with stability fins, the struts and fins being secured to said plates.

13. In a flying machine, superposed wings having ribs formed of coupled elements, plates clamped therebetween, struts connected with said plates, and stability fins connected with the struts and Plates.

14. In a flying machine, a strut formed of a folded strip of material, and a fin fitted and secured between the folds of the strut.

15. In a flying machine, super-posed supporting surfaces provided with ribs each embodying spaced plates, reinforcing plates fitted and secured between the rib plates, struts formed of folded strips of material, and fins fitted and secured between the folds of the struts and secured therewith to the reinforcing plates.

16. In a flying machine, superposed supporting surfaces each having ribs embodying metallic plates, reinforcing plates secured to said metallic plates, and a. single set of struts extending between said surfaces and coupledto the reinforcing plates thereof.

17. In a flying mach-ine, superposed wings,

plates secured thereto, struts pivotally connected with the plates, fins pivotally connected with the struts and plates, and a diag onal stay extending between and secured to the plates to which the upper end of one strut and lower end of the other strut are respectively attached.

18.` In a. flying machine, the combination of a body, superposed planes composed of right and left wings detachably coupled to the body and movable endwise for coupling engagement therewith and disengagment therefrom, and struts pivotally connecting each superposed pair of wings to permit the same to be collapsed in' parallel relation when detached from the body.

19. In a flying machine, a plane having flexible ribs each formed of superposed sections fixed at one end and free at the oppon site end, and couplings uniting the free ends of said sections and adapted to permit free relative longitudinal motion thereof duringthe flexing action.

20. In a flying machine, a supporting surface having a flexible trail portion including ribs each formed of superposed strips having free extremities, and a coupling uniting said free extremities of the strips and adapted to permit free relative longitudinal movement thereof.

21. In a flying machine, a plane provided with a flexible portion having frame ribs each composed of a pair of superposed strips united at one end and free at their opposite ends, and means for flexing the ribs in unison, said means being adapted to permit relative movement of the rib strips to compensate for variations in the degree of motion of one set of strips with respect to the other.

22. In a flying machine, a plane having a ilexible portion including ribs each formed of superposed strips having xed ends and free ends, a flexing bar extending between the upper and lower strips of the ribs, means connecting said bar with the ribs whereby the ribs may be flexed. in unison, said means being adapted to permit shifting motion of the superposed ribs relative to each other, and means for operating said bar.

23., In a flying machine, a plane having a flexible portion includingl ribs each formed of superposed strips having fixed ends and free ends', a flexing bar extending between the upper and lower strips of the ribs, couplings loosely connecting the b`ar alternately with theupper and lower strips of the series of ribs, and means for operating said bar.

24. In a flying machine, -a plane having flexible ribs, each formed of a pair of superposed strips having fixed ends and free ends,

unions respectively uniting the free ends of each series of strips and 'forming wear plates in contactual relation, and connections between the strips of each rib. adapted to permit .the strips to flex to diierent degrees.

. 2a. In va. flying machine, a plane comprising a body portion, a tail portion detachably connected with the body portion and provided with flexible ribs each formed of superposed strips fixed at their forward ends and free at their rear ends, and means connecting` theI strips of the ribs to flex in unison,`sa`1d means being adapted to permit the upper and lower strips to have relative longitudinal motion.

26. In a flying machine, a supporting su'rface having its wings provided with flexible tail portions each including ribs formed of superposed strips free for relative movement at one end, flexing bars extending through each wing between the superposed strips of the ribs, couplings connecting the rib strips and bars to adapt the ribs to be flexed in unison, said couplings forming loose joints to permit the superposed rib strips to have relative longitudinal motion, and means for controlling the flexing bars.

27. In a flying machine, a supporting surface comprising Wings each having a flexible trail portion including ribs each formed of superposed strips adapted to bend or flex vertically and free for longitudinal shifting movement on each other, flexing bars extending between and loosely coupled to the superposed strips othe ribs of the respective wings, and means for independently controllin said bars. v

28. n a flying machine, a plane having flexible ribs, each formed of a pair of superposed strips having iixed ends and free ends, unions respectively uniting the free ends of said strips, guide members arranged between the strips of the ribs and connected alternately with the upper and lower strips of the series of ribs, and a flexing bar extending loosely through said guide members.

In testimony whereof I alix my signaturev l in presence of two witnesses.

1 REXFORD M. SMITH.

Bnnnrrr S. JONES. 

